Viburnum odoratissimum plant named &#39;VOC1&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘VOC1’ is a distinctive variety of  Viburnum odoratissimum  which is characterized by the combination of a smaller overall plant size, a denser plant habit, a smaller leaf size and the strong expression of red anthocyanin pigments in immature foliage growth.

The present application claims priority from a provisional U.S. application No. 61/818,132 filed May 1 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Viburnum odoratissimum.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The inventive variety of Viburnum odoratissimum disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘VOC1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Viburnum odoratissimum, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘VOC1’. Viburnum odoratissimum is a well-known evergreen shrub or small tree species that is native to Asia. It is a favorite among many home gardeners and landscape professionals in the southern United States and in other semi-tropical areas for creating ornamental hedges due to its fast growth habit, dense foliage when regularly pruned, and its fragrant clusters of small white flowers that appear in spring. At maturity and when left unpruned, the species can reach upwards of 9 m tall and 6 m wide. The common name of this species is Sweet Viburmum due to its extremely fragrant, small white flowers that virtually cover the entire plant in spring.

Parentage: In March 2003 seed that resulted from an open pollination of Viburnum odoratissimum (unnamed, common form) was sown at a nursery in Dural, New South Wales, Australia and the resulting progeny were grown to a sellable size. In August 2005, the selection now called ‘VOC1’was observed to have a more compact and denser growth habit, smaller leaves, and red-colored new growth when compared to the parent and other sibling progeny; said selection was isolated for further observation. It was further grown, and subsequently observed from August 2005 and August 2011 at which time it was determined that the characteristics for which it was originally selected were uniform and stable.

Asexual Reproduction: ‘VOC1’ was first grown from cuttings in spring 2005 to see if it grew true to type. It was found to grow uniform and reproduce in a stable manner and 5 successive cycles of vegetative propagation have also proven to be true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘VOC1’ is a distinctive variety of Viburnum odoratissimum which is characterized by the combination of a smaller overall plant size, a denser plant habit, a smaller leaf size and the strong expression of red anthocyanin pigments in immature foliage growth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a comparison between an exemplary ‘VOC1’ plant (on left) and comparator, common-form Viburnum odoratissimum (on right) plants of the same age. Clearly visible are the smaller plant size, smaller leaves, denser growth habit and red-colored new foliage of ‘VOC1’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Viburnum odoratissimum ornamental plant known as ‘VOC1’. Plant observations were made on plants grown in New South Wales, Australia. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made from 3 year-old mature ‘VOC1’ plants grown in full sun from rooted cuttings in 400 mm nursery pots filled with soilless potting media, maintained with granular slow release fertilizer and regularly watered with overhead irrigation. No pest and disease measures were taken. Observation data was recorded in the fall of 2013 (southern hemisphere).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘VOC1’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2001 edition. Note that generic color descriptions such as ‘white’ do not exist in the R.H.S. charts and the corresponding R.H.S. colors are quoted.

-   Growth habit, dimensions and color: -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant habit.—Shrub, erect and very dense.         -   Height.—approximately 3.5 m.         -   Width.—approximately 2.0 m.         -   Bloom period.—Spring.         -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 9b to 11.         -   Environmental tolerances.—‘VOC1’ has not yet been observed             under all conditions but has shown to be heat tolerant,             adapting well to temperatures of 103 degrees Fahrenheit             without any noticeable damage. It has survived light to             moderate frosts and temperatures down to 20 degrees             Fahrenheit.         -   Drought tolerance.—‘VOCI’ has not yet been observed under             all conditions but it has shown good drought tolerance             typical of the species once established.         -   Pest and disease susceptibility or resistance.—In common             with the species, none of note.         -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using softwood             cuttings. Roots well using rooting hormone compounds.         -   Time to develop roots.—4 to 6 weeks.         -   Crop time.—From 18 to 24 months are needed to produce a             well-rooted 400 mm pot, starting from a rooted cutting,             depending on geographic location.         -   Stems.—Freely-branched; orientation is upward with acute             branch angles that generally approximate to 25 degrees. Stem             shape is cylindrical; texture is corky; the color of stems             at 10 nodes below active growing point is closest to             greyed-orange 177A whereas newly emerged of current year's             stems are closest to yellow-green 144A (RHS 1986 edition).             Stem dimensions at 10 nodes below active growing point are             45 mm long and 4 to 5 mm wide. Internode length averages 5.9             mm.         -   Leaf.—The simple leaves are arranged oppositely and leaf             attachment is petiolate with petioles that are 10 mm long             and 2 to 3 mm wide; stipules absent. Shape of the leaf is             elliptical to ovate; apex is acuminate and the base is             attenuate; margins are serrate; venation is reticulate with             secondary veins having generally the same color as the             surrounding foliage while the midrib color at all stages is             yellow-green 144B (RHS 1986 edition). All surfaces of both             immature and mature foliage are smooth and glabrous. Average             length of mature leaves is 70 mm and the average width is             34 mm. Immature foliage color of the adaxial abaxial             surfaces is best described as a combination of yellow-green             144A (RHS 1986 edition) and greyed-red 181B (RHS 1986             edition) with the predominant color being greyed-red. Mature             foliage color of the adaxial surface is yellow-green             corresponding to RHS 147A (RHS 1986 edition) and the abaxial             surface is green 148C (RHS 1986 edition).         -   Roots.—Fibrous root system.         -   Inflorescence.—Panicles with clusters of small white             fragrant flowers that arise either terminally or at apices             of short lateral branchlets in spring; pyramidal in shape.         -   Flowers.—Not yet described.         -   Fruit and seed.—Berries are drupes appearing in summer and             turn from red to brown as they mature; shape is ovoid; base             rounded, apex rounded; size is approximately 8 mm long by 5             to 6 mm wide; glabrous. -   Comparison of VOC1 with Other Varieties of Grevillea rosmarinifolia     To the breeder's knowledge, the most similar variety of common     knowledge is the supposed seed parent, Viburnum odoratissimum     common-form. Both ‘VOC1’ and the species have a similar growth     habit, plant shape and mature foliage color. However, by comparison,     ‘VOC1’ is more dense and compact, has smaller leaves and has     red-colored immature foliage. ‘VOC1’ has been observed to grow to a     height of approximately 3.5 m whereas Viburnum odoratissimum plants     of similar age typically reach 5 m, or more. It is also noted that     the species has a faster growth rate compared to ‘VOC1’ which, when     left unpruned, results in a plant with a more open habit. ‘VOC1’ has     a slower rate of growth than the species which results in a plant     that is naturally more compact and dense. That is to say, ‘VOC1’     will require less pruning to maintain a smaller plant size and dense     growth habit. The leaves of ‘VOC1’ are small with average dimensions     of 70 mm long by 34 mm wide whereas the leaves of the species are     large at approximately 80 to 90 mm long by 40 to 45 mm wide. Also of     note is the color difference in the immature foliage. The immature     foliage of ‘VOC1’ is generally greyed-red 181B (RHS 1986 edition)     whereas the foliage of the species is generally green 144B (RHS 1986     edition) with significantly less of the greyed-red pigmentation     observed. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Viburnum odoratissimum plant named ‘VOC1’, substantially as described and illustrated herein 